What is this Lesson’s Goal?
This lesson will encourage you to talk about your spiritual journey.
Do Testimonials Have a Purpose?
When Paul the apostle wanted to encourage the churches in Corinth regarding endurance in the ministry of Jesus Christ, he mentioned his own example in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. Such a personal testimony has many uses.
What is our Plan?
This lesson proposes to discuss why testimonials are a valuable tool, how you can prepare one, and then how you can deliver it and gives a sample outline.
Why Give a Testimonial?
A testimonial can be an icebreaker for a new preacher in town or an encouragement from a preacher who has been around for decades. It is also a good way for potential leaders to get used to being in front of a group of people, whether or not they will ever be great preachers.
It is an opportunity to tell about your personal knowledge of the hand of God. It is not a time to puff yourself up or be a spiritual show-off, but a time to build the faith of those who will hear specific experiences of God’s providence in your life.
There is a Warning
Testimonials in the hands of some people have been used for self-glorification about some real or imagined spiritual gift, or to take pride more in human effort and good works rather than Christ. The term used in the Bible for a testimony is a legal term, such as an eye-witness might use in a courtroom regarding things they have experienced. Just as in court, people can give true or false testimony. It is important to emphasize true testimony about God, not support for urban myths and bad theology.
Israel testified about God's goodness in Psalm 79 and the apostles gave testimony about the risen Lord in Luke 24:48; John 15:27; and Acts 1:8,27. So as to remain consistent with Scripture and good doctrine, it is important that anyone giving a testimonial in a church check with the pastor or priest ahead of time.
Appropriate testimonials would include stories of trials or difficulties, answered prayers, God's help, experiences of sin and forgiveness, confessions of faith, conversion stories and God’s guidance.
How do we Prepare?
Examine your Christian calling and any special experiences which may encourage the faith of others. Is there a verse of Scripture that stands out or has particularly encouraged you? If so, you have already made a good start. If you can’t think of one, don’t worry about it at this stage. The important thing is that you have the rest of the message almost finished, because the subject matter (your life) is very familiar to you.
You may want to tell how God led you to Himself. You may want to tell about a childhood or other experience with God. You may want to tell about a particular church experience. Leave out details that might embarrass you or anyone else. Never give lurid details of personal sins. Not only can it seem like voyeurism or even bragging about the magnitude of past sins, but it can come back to haunt you later.
Now all we have to do is organize it. If you have 10 minutes allotted for a testimonial, simply take the time and divide it by the number of stories or parts of your story you want to tell. Many new speakers believe they will never fill 10 minutes and then end up going way over time, taking 20 minutes or a half hour. Don’t!
Don’t go overtime. Going overtime is stealing, stealing time from the rest of the service, from the main sermon if there is one, and from the time the congregation devoted to prepared music, prayers, scripture readings or other items of worship. If someone in charge says to take as long as you want, realize that too has limits. It is best to be gracious and stick to a reasonable time of about ten minutes maximum for a testimonial by a lay member or the usual sermon length for a guest preacher giving his testimonial as a full-length sermon. A little organization will help you keep within this allotted time. If you are a beginner and only speak for a very few minutes, that is excellent. Short is always better than long.
On the other hand, if you are the main speaker and introducing yourself to a new congregation ask what the usual allotted sermon time is and stick to it. Going overtime on your introductory sermon only gives a bad impression, no matter how great a preacher you may think you are. If you are a long time preacher in this congregation, you are already fully aware of the local time customs.
How can we Deliver a Testimonial?
Be yourself. Someone once suggested that a person stand up, read a scripture, tell a story, shut up and sit down. It was a rather blunt but valuable suggestion for a testimonial or sermonette.
What’s an Example Sermon?
Title: Like a Mustard Seed
Let’s read Matthew 13:51-52 the Parable of the Mustard Seed (1 min.)
Tell how God’s kingdom in me began small, like a mustard seed (3 min.)
Tell how God’s kingdom in me has grown like his kingdom is growing all over the world (3 min.)
Tell how I’m thankful to be a small part of God’s growing kingdom; pray (1 min.)
Thank you...
Here’s a Suggested Assignment
If you are in a classroom situation, depending on the size of your class and time constraints give a 5 or 10 minute testimonial. If you are in a church situation, depending on the approval of leaders, give a 10 minute testimonial. In a new pastoral assignment, give a (perhaps half hour) introductory sermon using principles found in this lesson.
Let’s Wrap it Up
A testimonial as either an example in a sermon, or as a whole sermon, is best given on a rare basis, otherwise it just seems like we are self-centered egomaniacs. That’s it! Just end with a one sentence summary, note of thanks or restate the verse if you want. If you feel comfortable enough, you could also close with a brief prayer of two or three sentences. Realize that we are to promote Christ and not ourselves.
